Device



(Model.) R. H. WADLOW.

TASTENING DEVICE. No. 253,791. PatentedZFeb.'14.1882.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

RIoHARD E. WADLOW, oF ATLANTA, GEORGIA.

FASTNING DEVICE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 253,791, dated February 14, 1882.

Application filed November 14, 1881. (Model.)

To all 'whom it may concern Be it known that I, RICHARD H. WADLoW, of Atlanta, in the county of Fulton and State of Georgia, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Fastening Devices; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same.

My invention is an improved fastener or fastening-clasp adapted to be used upon shoes, gloves, and the like, and fitted also for use to connect parts of harness, or to unite the ends of straps in any situation where a buckle is required.

In the drawings which accompany this specication I have shown the clasp or fastener as connecting the two opposite ends of straps. This will show plainly the general mode of application and use of the article.

In the drawings, Figure l shows a plan view of the clasp with parts of the straps attached. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the clasp with parts of the strap attached. Fig. 3 is alongitudinal central section of the clasp and ends of the straps when the clasp is in closed position. Fig. 4 shows the clasp with the hinged part on one side entering the opening on the other. Figs. 5 and 6 show the parts in slightly different positions, ready for attaching them together.

Heretofore clasps of various forms have been devised which have parts on opposite ends of straps or opposite edges of various articles of wear or use, said parts interlocking in various ways. I have. aimed by my special construction, as shown, to provide at the same time cheapness of construction, ease in operation, and security of attachment. All these qualities will appear from the subjoined description.

Iteferringto the drawings, A represents a plate, which may be made of any suitable metal and ornamentcd to suit the taste, or according to the special use for which it is intended. Preferably it is slightly curved or convex on the outer surface from end to end. It is provided, as represented in the drawings, with teeth formed integral with the body, and adapted to be inserted into the leather or fabric to which the clasp is applied; but these may be omitted and any known or suitable means of attachment may be applied instead. The body of this part is provided with a cruciform slot,

a, the transverse arms of which are the shorter. This part, with the slot described, is adapted to receive the upturned end of another part, B, which, as shown, is provided with means for attachment to the stra-p orfabric edge, like that described for part A. Of this part the upturned end b is made to fit the transverse part of the slot a and to pass through the part A. This upturned end is slotted transl versely to receive the small strap or flattened ring of the piece G, which locks the two parts together. This piece Gis curved on its upper surface to conform to the upper surface of the part A, on which it lies and fits snugly when the parts are locked together.

The under strap or ring portion, d, of the part G is made to lit accurately the longitudinal part of the slot a, and also to pass through the slot in the upturned end of the part B, in which slot it slides freely. 'It is so t-ted to said part B that it may be turned up to form a nearly straight continuation of said part. In this position, as shown in Fig'. 5, the part C may be passed up through the transverse slot in part A, and when thus drawn through the upturned end of part B is in the said transverse slot. The fastening part or piece G may then be slipped, along with its strap or ring part d, in the longitudinal part of the slot a. When it has reached the end in this movement the whole of said strap or ring portion will fall into said longitudinal slot, and the part C will lie snugly on the part A, the two parts being thereby securely interlocked. Manifestly only so much play of the parts is required as will render it practicable to raise up the forward end of the part C, as is necessaryin orderthat it may be drawn forward to unlock. The parts cannot be unlocked without this movement, and any force applied to the straps or fabric so connected to draw them asunder will only tend to force the locking parts more closely into con nectiou. The natural elasticity of the leather or fabric to which these clasps will ordinarily be applied will hold the parts secu rely interlocked.

Neatness of finish and proper strain upon the parts are gained by attaching the part A above and part B underneath the strap or fabric.

For glove and shoe fastenings these clasps are specially convenient, since the part C forms a linked continuation of the part B, and after ICO entering the slot of the part A may be operated as a'lever to draw the edges of the connected leather or fabric closely together. The surface of the part C may be ornamented or embossed in any desired manner.

The parts may be struck up out of sheet metal and put together with very little manipulation.

The part C may be varied in shape, and may, though not so conveniently, be made to move across the part A, instead of longitudinally thereupon. The strap or ring portion d is cut out integral with the body and bent under into proper shape. Y Y fr Y Y Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, isn In combination, the part A, having cruciforrn slot a, the part B, having upturned slotted end, and the part C, provided with strap zo d, adapted to slide freely in the said slotted end, and to fit the slot et, the Whole constructed and operating substantially as described.

In testimony WhereofI have signed my naine to this specification in the presence of two sub- 2 5 scribing witnesses.

RIGHARDH. WADLOW.

Witnesses: y u

Y C. M. PAYNE, Y' n MILTON A. GANDLER. 

